Member Article

Structural Interiors creates new look for Wake Smith

LEADING Sheffield law firm Wake Smith has completed a successful move to a new city centre headquarters with the support of award winning city commercial interior design and fit-out specialist Structural Interiors.

One of Sheffield’s oldest firms of solicitors, Wake Smith used to be based at twin sites in Campo Lane and on Clarkehouse Road, near the Botanical Gardens.

But now the company, which has a workforce of around 100, has relocated to a single site on two floors in Tenter Street’s prestigious Velocity V1 Tower, only a minute’s walk from the city’s courts and the legal and financial district.

Structural Interiors was called in with a brief to create a more cohesive space for the Wake Smith team, with cellular areas for confidential meetings, client interviews and a boardroom.

“As part of our design we needed to create working spaces that would inspire all members of the Wake Smith teams, improving employee engagement, productivity and well-being,” said Structural Interiors Managing Director David Baldwin.

An important part of the design brief was the sourcing of bespoke furniture and Structural Interiors fully involved the Wake Smith team in the project, taking them to see Italian furniture-manufacturing partner Alea for a factory tour and discussing their specialist needs.

Other major areas for development included adaptation to the site’s air-cooling system, performance ventilation, decoration, creation of a secure server room, break-out areas to each floor and frameless glazed partitioning with bespoke manifestation.

“The office now accommodates all of Wake Smith’s team members utilising stylish modern desking, complemented by elegant waiting and break-out areas featuring BOSS Design soft furnishings, providing collaborative work spaces as well as somewhere to eat and drink,” said David.

“The bespoke elements of our design incorporate a stylish reception desk with “living wall” – Sheffield is after all the greenest city in England!”

Wake Smith Director of Finance Ivor Donn commented: “We knew from the first meeting with Structural Interiors that there was a fit between our two organisations, with the creativity at Structural Interiors and a broad depth of staff with experience, flair and ideas to help shape our new headquarters.

“Following planning and design meetings, the fit-out started on time, went remarkably smoothly, with professionalism and courtesy, completed to the day and in a six-week timescale.

“We are delighted with the outcome and would recommend Structural Interiors to our clients and contacts.”

Structural Interiors recently won the prestigious Small/Medium Project of the Year award at the Mixology Awards 2015 for its work on The Grain Warehouse in Sheffield’s iconic Victoria Quays for client WE ARE, the Sheffield-based brand communications specialists.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by John Highfield .